I have known the power of story in a sermon — persons almost yanking their head up to hear. Over Christmas I read Donald Miller’s Building a Story Brand. Here he connects storytelling to growing a business. Intuitively I believe that story has great power in leading the Great Lakes Conference.
So the Great Lakes Conference links to this story: God promises to bless all the families of the earth (Gen. 12: 3 and Gal. 3:8). When I’m talking to the new youth leader of Memorial Holiness Camp, when I’m asking for prayer from a 94-year-old saint who, with her husband, started a Brethren in Christ Church years ago in southern Indiana, or when I’m talking to a mid-20s couple who has just left their home to prepare for wider ministry — I tell this story: God promises to bless all the families of the earth. Invariably I have seen the arcing of the spark of the Spirit in bright eyes, passionate voices, and a swelling heart (I see this last marker by faith, often confirmed by follow-up emails).
I was reporting this story dynamic to my friend and colleague Matt Lewis and he summarizes: “You are the chief storyteller in our conference.” I say it again: “God promises to bless all the families of the earth.” Join this story: it’s being written through your life and mine.
God bless you, my friend,
Bishop Lynn